All stillbirths occurring in Ireland since 1 January 1995 may be registered, but it is not obligatory. Registration of a stillbirth only applies in relation to a child born weighing not less than 500 grams or having a gestational age of not less than 24 weeks and who shows no sign of life at birth.
Stillbirths are registered in any local civil register office – click on the link to find the postal and e-mail addresses for your local Civil Registration Office .
Please bring photographic ID and written evidence of the stillbirth with you. You may get a certificate at the time you register the stillbirth and there is no fee.
Note: Parent(s) do not need to attend at the local Civil Registration Office while COVID-19 public health restrictions are in place – see How to register a stillbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic for more information.
The following information is recorded in the Register of Stillbirths:
- time, date and place of birth of the child
- the child's gender
- the child's weight and gestational period
- the child's forename(s) and surname
- the mother's forename(s) and surname (as known as of date of birth of child)
- the mother's birth surname
- birth surname of mother's mother
- all previously used surnames of the mother (if any)
- the mother's normal occupation
- the mother's normal address at the date of birth
- the mother's date of birth
- the mother's marital status
- the mother's Personal Public Service (PPS) Number
Similar information is entered for the father.
If a stillbirth occurred prior to I January 1995, specific evidence must be produced at the point of registration. This evidence could comprise an authorative statement in writing from a hospital, a nursing home or midwife stating the date and place of birth, the weight and/or the gestational age of the stillborn child. The Registrar may accept, subject to the approval from the Superintendent Registrar, other forms of evidence.
The form below will allow the stillbirth of the child to be registered without the parents or a qualified informant attending in person at a civil registration office.
All stillbirths can be registered but it is not obligatory.
This form can be emailed or posted to your local Civil Registration Office. Click on the link to find the postal and e-mail addresses for your local Civil Registration Office .
Stillbirth Registration Form
This form will allow the stillbirth of the child to be registered without the parents or a qualified informant attending in person at a civil registration office.
DownloadIf you have a query or need help with your request, you can e-mail us at GRO@welfare.ie
You may get a certificate at the time you register the stillbirth and there is no fee.
All subsequent copies of the certificate must be obtained from the General Register Office
Click here for information on how to apply for certificates.
Contact the General Register Office at Tel +353 (0)90 6632900 or Locall 1890 252076
